Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-05-27
DEATH OF EX- X-GOV. SMITH.
1 NOTED POLITICIAN.
WHY HE WAS DUBBED EXTRA
BMLYr-HIs SERVICE AS A MAIL
CONTRACTOR, LEGISLATOR, GOV.
ERNOR AND CONGREssMAN-HTs
RECORD AS 4 SOLDIER.
Especial to the Americana

Especial to the Americana
WARRENToN, VA, May 1S.-Ex'
Governor William Smith died at
$40 this morning. His remains
will be taken to Richmond for in
terment.
The venerable William Smith,
universally known as "Extra Billy,
was born in King George county,
Va, on the 9th Of September, 1897,
and had consequently passed his
ninetieth birthday. In 1871 he
commenced his academic career at
Plainfeld, Ct, but returned home
the following year, in consequence
of his applying to his father for
PERMISSION to enter the navy. He
red law with Green & Williams, of
Fredericksburg, with L. 5. Moore
at Warrenton, and finally with
General Winder in Baltimore. In
1878, when 81 years old, he com
menced practicing law in Culpep-
er, Va. That county was closely
divided into politics, with the
speaking talent in favor of the
Wings. He took the opposite side,
and for eighteen years he took part
in speaking, without consentlng to
become a candidate for any office
In 1880 he was nominated for the
State Senate, but declined it. His
friends persisted, and being re.nom
mated, he finally consented, and
being elected, served five years
and then resigned. He was after
wards elected to Congress, serving
the term ending in 1SiO. He ther
renounced politics but, in spite oI
| his wishes, was elected governor by
the legislature. He served three
years and left the office, crippled
| in fortune, az the salary was insult
fcient to proper hospitalities of the
| position. In 1850 he sailed for Cal
ifornia, and IN the following May
was chosen president of the frs
Democratic convention held in th'
state. Returning to Virginia, h'
was elected to Congress in lS53,anC
served four successive terms, ending
Oh the 4th Of March, 1861. Though
then G4 years of age, he became
Colonel of the Forty-seventh Vir
gina Volunteers, and from his CAM
was elected to the Confederate Con
gress, but resigned in order to con
tnue in the Confederate army. III
was promoted as brigadier anC
major general without application
and in 1868 was elected governor
of Virginia, serving for four years
| Since the war he has served on
| term IN the Virginia House OF Del
egates. While in California hi
son, James Caleb Smith, fought
| duel with Senator BrOderick. Thu
duel was witnessed by his fathe
and five thousand people. -Four o
Smiths balls passed into Broder
ick's watch, which he had failed Il
remove from his pocket, and th'
damaged watch was exhibited in
public place in Sacramento. Smltl
was untouched by Broderick's bul
| lets. Broderick afterwards wa
killed in a duel with Terry.
William Smith, the oldest son
was a midshlpman in the navy, AM
lost in the Indian Ocean. y por
trait hanging in his fathers parlo
shows him to have been a splendid
looking man.
His son, Austin Smith, was Kill
ed at Seven Pines a few days ate
being exchanged from Fort WaT
ren, where he had been confined
political prisoner from the first out
break of the war in California. Ii
was shot soon after he appeared
upon the first battle field.
Peter Bell Smith, promlnen
member of the Warrenton bar, wa
accidentally killed soon after tn
war By pistol which droppe'
from his hand and exploded.
His son, Col. Thomas Smith,
few years ago fought a duel wit
Mr.. Elan, the editor of the Rich
mond Wing, near Richmond, an
wounded his antagonist in tn
mouth at the first fire.
The latter years of Governo
Smiths life have been passed a
his suburban home, near WarrentoI
Va, which is presided over by hi
only daughter. His house is sui
rounded by a farm of five hundred
acres, which stretches out a mil
from his house. Until his last sick
ness he supernteDded the working
OF his farm, being up at dawn, ant
in his carriage and department re
sembled a man Of sixty. Onl.
three survive out of a large famil,
of children-his daughter and Col
Thomas Smith and Capt. FredericI
Smith. The latter lives in New
Mexico.
The deceased obtained his sobri
auet of Extra Billy" during PresI
dent Polk's administration, whel
he originated the vicious custom 0
taking contracts for carrying tn
mail at a low rate, and afterward
doubling and trebliDg the charg
by claiming for extra services. III
had at one time a line of stage
from Washington to Mllledgeville
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